India has eased visa and travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India, including businesspersons, health professionals and technical specialists, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Visas will now be issued to foreign nationals wanting to come to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa, for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/chartered flights, said an MHA release.
Foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians making a trip for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories, will also be issued visas. “This is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognised and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited university in India,” the release said.
Foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India are also on the list of permitted categories. This includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking), the release added.
Foreign technical specialists and engineers travelling for the installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity, will now be issued visas, the MHA said. These could be for equipment installation, or for after-sales servicing or repair on commercial terms.
“The above categories of foreign nationals would have to obtain a fresh business visa or employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions and Posts abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long-term multiple entry business visa...would have to get the business visa re-validated from the Indian Mission/Post concerned. Such foreign nationals would not be permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier,” the release further said.